PHOENIX - The All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker is starting to get comfortable for the Phoenix Suns. Now they're beating good teams, piling up wins and rising quickly in the Western Conference.
Booker scored 30 points, Paul added 28 points and seven assists and the Suns extended their winning streak to four games by rallying to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 125-124 on Wednesday night.
Booker and Paul combined for 15 points in a tight fourth quarter.
"It’s tough for other teams," Paul said. "You don’t know what to take away. Most teams have one primary defender so who you gonna put him on? Me or Book? We’re learning to play off of each other."
Milwaukee had its five-game winning streak snapped despite getting a season-high 47 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks had a chance to win on the final possession, but Antetokounmpo missed a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer.
"To get it to Giannis, to be at the top of the key with the court spread, you attack or get a shot," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He got a pretty good look."
The Suns have won seven of eight and have a 15-9 record.
Phoenix struggled to slow the Bucks’ offense, especially in the first three quarters. Milwaukee has scored at least 120 points in every game over their past six. Antetokounmpo made 15 of 23 shots from the field, including 15 of 19 from inside the arc, finishing all night on layups and dunks.
The Suns took their first lead of the second half at 104-101 when Paul made a 3-pointer with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Frank Kaminsky made another long ball less than a minute later to push the Suns ahead 107-101.
Booker made a step back 3-pointer with 2:30 left to put the Suns up 124-116 but the Bucks pulled to 124-122 with a minute left on Khris Middleton's corner 3. Antetokounmpo flushed a dunk on the next possession to tie it at 124 with 50 seconds left.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
Booker made a free throw with 32 seconds left that proved to be the difference.
"It’s a big win for us," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "We don’t take wins like this for granted."
The teams fought to a 32-all tie in the first quarter before the Bucks caught fire from 3-point range and scored 39 points in the second. Milwaukee took a 71-59 lead into the break after shooting 13 of 24 (54%) from long range.
Bryn Forbes and Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 17 points each. Forbes — who was making just his second start of the season — made 5 of 6 3-pointers.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Mukwonago School District raises money in memory of Kaden Stark
The Mukwonago School District has done the fundraiser since 2013, inspired by their former student, Kaden Stark, and his wish.
No. 21 Wisconsin beats Huskers 61-48 despite cold shooting
Wisconsin shot just 32.3%, its second-worst mark of the season, but still managed to hand the Huskers their third straight double-digit loss.